Is the bathroom guaranteed not to rust?

Unfortunately, with either type of chrome plating, small scratches or dents in your chrome fixtures can expose the metal underneath to oxygen and moisture, which can eventually form rust, especially in the moist environment of a bathroom. Water with a brown or red-orange color is a common sign you have rust in your pipes. You could also notice a clog or a sink that’s slow to drain because of rust buildup. If only your hot water is discolored, you may need a new hot water tank.

There are dozens of commercial rust removers like CLR on the market that work very well to remove stains. Some are harsher than others, so take time to read labels carefully, follow the directions, and store and dispose of the products properly.

If you prefer natural cleaners, you can use vinegar to remove the rust from your chrome fixtures. The acidic nature of vinegar helps to dissolve rust, but keep in mind, this method takes a little more elbow grease than other options. Spray undiluted vinegar onto the rust spots, let it sit for about 10 minutes, and then scrub with a sponge. Repeat the process as needed. Once the rust is removed, seal the fixture with car wax. This fills in any cracks and helps to prevent future rust issues.

Use a firm scrubbing brush to scrub away the rust stains. Rinse thoroughly afterwards, and inspect your shower area for the source of the rust. If you determine that the rust is coming from the pipes inside the walls, then you will need to call for professional renovators to replace the rusted pipes.

Like we’ve mentioned before, rust stains are infamous for being difficult to remove. One reason why removing rust stains is so tricky, is that the main enemy of rust is acid, which can corrode not only the rust stains, but also the materials commonly used in bathrooms.

Rust appears when iron and oxygen react with moisture to form iron oxide (that’s why you’ll often find it left behind from a can of shaving cream or a razor blade). However, you may also find rust stains near sink, shower, and toilet bowl drains, caused by water containing high levels of iron particulates or iron bacteria. Iron plumbing pipes, rusty water heaters, or untreated metal components in toilet tanks can also cause rust formation.

In a spray bottle, combine one part white vinegar (or lemon juice) with one part warm water. Then, spray the mixture onto the rust stain, allowing it to work for a couple of minutes before scrubbing the area with a bristle brush. Scrub in small, circular motions and watch the rust disappear!